We recently connected with Alex Bochel and have shared our conversation below.

Alex , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

The most underestimated aspect of creativity is the importance of physical health. I learned this the hard way.

After a year of being a full-time creative, I started developing doubts and depression about my work. I thought this was just “part of the process”. I started journaling, using positive affirmations, and cutting out time on social media. While these things helped, there was something more insidious going on inside of me.

In December of 2021, I noticed that I had been so tired every day for the past two years. I started waking up with headaches, sleeping for 10+ hours, and dealing with major congestion. In January I began my conquest of going to over 10 doctor visits. My mental health decline turned out to be due to a sleep breathing disorder called “upper airway resistance syndrome”. I was waking up over 60 times per night because I couldn’t breathe. Throughout the winter and spring, I barely touched music. I had no desire to create. It wasn’t until my treatment began to work that I felt creative again. Almost 9 months later I realize I was never operating at my full potential. Now that I can sleep again, I have been creating an enormous output of music. But most importantly, I am happy.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I wrote and produced my first song in 8th grade. It was a heavy metal/screamo song titled “I Have to go to the Bathroom”. I made it using a plastic fake guitar, the drum app on my iPod touch, and my own screamo vocals. This sent me down a path of music creation that extended to the piano and eventually a real guitar. I began selling electronic songs to game developers and writing acoustic songs for myself. I took a hiatus in college until my senior year. When the hiatus was over, I dove headfirst into EDM production and decided I would not pursue computer science even though I spent four years studying it. Flash forward three years and I am able to make a full-time living. That is my greatest achievement thus far.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Having all day to create a song.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

That social media is king. Sure, you can develop a fanbase with this, but it is not the only way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alexbochelmusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ye0oq8DvwDIlDWCXlSxUu?si=Twvmk5QiTq2nZeWvkpLUTg